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US 6,782,628 B2Granted
Level having rotatable vial support device
OwnerVincent Liaoinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A level includes a plate secured to a casing and rotatable relative to the casing between a closed and an open positions. A bubble vial is attached to the plate. The plate has one or more catches for openably securing the plate to the casing. The casing includes one or more retainers for retaining the plate at the open position relative to the casing. A level housing has a chamber for receiving the casing, and the casing has one or more latched engageable with the level housing. The bubble vial preferably includes a cylindrical shape having a flat upper surface.
Claims16
A level comprising:
- a casing including a first side and a second side,
- a plate including a first side rotatably secured to said first side of said casing with a pivot shaft, that allows said plate to be rotated relative to said casing about said pivot shaft between a closed position and an open position, and said plate including a second side that swings away from the second side of the casing when the plate is moved to the open position and that swings adjacent to the second side of the casing when the plate is moved to the closed position,
- a bubble vial attached to said plate, and rotated in concert with said plate relative to said casing, and
- said casing including means for locking said plate to said casing at the closed position, said locking means including at least one hole formed in said second side of said casing, and at least one catch extended from said second side of said plate and engageable into said at least one hole of said casing.
1 more element
A level comprising:
- a casing including a first side and a second side,
- a plate including a first side rotatable secured to said first side of said casing with a pivot shaft, that allows said plate to be rotated relative to said casing about said pivot shaft between a closed position and an open position,
- a bubble vial attached to said plate, and rotated in concert with said plate relative to said casing, and
- said casing including means for securing said plate to said casing at the open position, said securing means including a retainer attached to said first side of said casing, and engageable with said first side of said plate, said retainer including a bar attached to said casing, and an arm extended from said bar, to define a slot between said arm and said casing, and to receive said first side of said plate in said slot of said retainer.
1 more element
A level comprising:
- a casing including a first side and a second side,
- a plate including a first side rotatably secured to said first side of said casing with a pivot shaft, that allows said plate to be rotated relative to said casing about said pivot shaft between a closed position and an open position,
- a bubble vial attached to said plate, and rotated in concert with said plate relative to said casing, and
- a level housing having a chamber formed therein to receive said casing in said chamber of said level housing.
1 more element
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.